Three Lockheed Martin Leaders among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business

Three of Lockheed Martin’s senior executives have been named in FORTUNE magazine’s annual list of the top 50 leading businesswomen in America.

Appearing as a cover story in its Sept. 24 issue, FORTUNE's “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” ranking includes Marillyn Hewson, Executive Vice President of Electronic Systems; Joanne Maguire, Executive Vice President of Space Systems; and Linda Gooden, Executive Vice President of Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS).

Hewson was ranked at No. 19, moving up from the 27th position in 2011. Hewson has been named to succeed Chris Kubasik as President and COO, as Kubasik succeeds Bob Stevens as CEO on Jan. 1, 2013. According to FORTUNE, the succession has “set off a chain of promotions, landing Hewson in the No. 2 spot as President and COO of the U.S. government’s biggest contractor.” In 2011, the magazine reports, Hewson “oversaw a 2 percent increase in revenue and operating profits in the company’s largest division.”

Maguire was ranked at No. 31. The magazine notes, “Maguire increased operating margins in her $8 billion business, which accounts for 18 percent of Lockheed [Martin’s] total revenue.”

Gooden was ranked No. 34. According to the editors at FORTUNE, IS&GS “which counts the FAA and Department of Energy as clients, saw 2011 sales drop as work associated with the U.S. Census ended.”

In addition, Lockheed Martin board member Rosalind Brewer was ranked No. 13, moving up from the 23rd spot in last year’s rankings. Brewer is CEO of Wal-Mart’s warehouse club with total revenues of $54 billion. According to FORTUNE, she heads one of only three operating segments at the company.

The list is compiled by FORTUNE editors who consider four criteria: the size and importance of the woman’s business in the global economy, the health and direction of the business, the arc of the woman’s career (resume and runway ahead), and societal and cultural influence.